Philippine govt. to promote traditional medicines and generic drugs

Philippines Department of Health has come to realize that it is high time that the country stopped its mad rush after the costlier branded medicines. It has exhorted the nation to have a close look on its natural medicinal flora. The Department of Health along with the National Consumers Affair Council has decided to have its focus on the large-scale promotion of the country’s generic drugs. 'Generic Drugs: Gawang Pinoy! Galing Pinoy! Tangkilikin Natin' so goes the theme slogan that was adopted in order to highlight the importance of the public health campaign initiated by the government. With this aim, the annual Consumers Welfare Month will be organized in October for ensuring overall health through the distribution of affordable quality medicine. 

 

Massive informative campaigns will also be organized throughout Philippines in order to enlighten the consumers on the scientific implications of traditional generic drugs and their different therapeutic effects. The program also aims to put an end to the popular misconception that branded medicines are much more effective than its cheaper generic counterparts.  As part of its drive to reduce the price of drugs, the Filipino government had also ensured the strict implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Act. According to this act, the consumer price of certain medicines was reduced by fifty percent.

 

The herbal processing plant of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, situated at Tacloban City has ensured that effective herbal medicines are made available in commercial quantities at affordable rate. Through its traditional health program, the Department of Health has formally approved ten medicinal plants that are found to be highly effective in treating various ailments. 

 

The knowledge on the various curative herbs that has been garnered on try-and-error basis by the traditional Filipino healers has been effectively transferred from one generation to another. Filipinos were known for their alternative modes of traditional medicine much before the modern Western curative techniques were marketed. 

 

Presently, the Tacloban herbal plant of PTAHC has introduced Lagundi tablets (300 mg) that are made from Lagundi (Vitex negundo) leaves. Also known as the '5-leaved chaste tree', the herb is found to be effective in preventing respiratory disorders such as cough and asthma. 
 

The 250 mg. Sambong tablet that is derived from sambong leaves (Blumea balsamifera) is an effective diuretic that helps in the elimination of the harmful urinary stones and is widely prescribed for patients suffering from urinary tract infection. 

 

Both the Lagundi and Sambong tablets will be made available to consumers at nominal price.